A1 Journal article (refereed)
Genetic diversity and phenotypic characterization of Iodobacter limnosediminis associated with skin lesions in freshwater fish (2021)

Korkea‐aho, T. L., Viljamaa‐Dirks, S., Heinikainen, S., Kuronen, H., & Tiirola, M. (2021). Genetic diversity and phenotypic characterization of Iodobacter limnosediminis associated with skin lesions in freshwater fish. Journal of Fish Diseases, 44(11), 1711-1724. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13490

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Korkea‐aho, Tiina Liisa; Viljamaa‐Dirks, Satu; Heinikainen, Sirpa; Kuronen, Henry; Tiirola, Marja

Journal or series: Journal of Fish Diseases

ISSN: 0140-7775

eISSN: 1365-2761

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 04/07/2021

Volume: 44

Issue number: 11

Pages range: 1711-1724

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13490

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77059

Abstract

The relatively unknown genus Iodobacter sp. has been repeatedly isolated from skin ulcers and saprolegniosis on freshwater fish in Finland, especially farmed salmonids. Genetic characterization verified that all 23 bacterial isolates studied here belonged to the species Iodobacter limnosediminis, previously undescribed from the fish microbiota. Whole-genome pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed variability between the I. limnosediminis strains, suggesting that they were most likely of environmental origin. Two I. limnosediminis strains caused lesions in 27%–53% of brown trout (Salmo trutta) injected intramuscularly (p ≤ .05). The lesions represented moderate to severe tissue damage, but for most fish, the tissues had been repaired by the end of the experiment through the accumulation of fibrocytes and macrophages at the site of the lesion. I. limnosediminis was reisolated from some lesions and/or internal organs. Phenotypically and biochemically, I. limnosediminis resembles several common bacterial species found in the aquatic environment, as it grows well on several media as whitish medium-sized colonies, is Gram negative and rod-shaped. Here, we characterized I. limnosediminis strains with several methods, including MALDI-TOF. This characterization will help in further investigations into the occurrence and possible involvement of I. limnosediminis in skin lesions of freshwater fish.

Keywords: fishes; fresh water; microbes; bacterial diseases; tissues (parts of the body)

Free keywords: freshwater fish; Iodobacter limnosediminis; skin lesion

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1